Printed copy sheet number read-out device

ABSTRACT

A printed copy sheet number read-out device adapted for use with an offset printing machine which permits one master plate after another to be automatically mounted on its master cylinder. Each master plate to be duplicated by this machine is provided in one marginal portion thereof with a plurality of sets of timing marks each set representing the column of the number of copy sheets to be printed and data marks each being provided for one set of timing marks and placed above one timing mark of each set which represents the particular numeral in each column. When one of such master plates is mounted on the master cylinder, the marks are automatically read by read-out means provided in the printing machine and duplication of the particular master plate is automatically terminated when a predetermined number of copy sheets have been printed.

United States Patent Kagari et al.

[ 1 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] PRINTED COPY SHEET NUMBER Primary Examiner-Thomas A. Robinson READ-OUT DEVICE Assistant Examiner-Joseph M. Thesz, Jr.

Attorne Robert S. Dunham P. E. Hennin er Lester t i y g s [72] men w. Clark, Gerald w. Griffin, Thomas F. Moran,

Kolchl l-hrokawa, all of Tokyo, Japan Howard J. Churchill, Bradlee R. Boal, Christopher C. Dunham, Robert Scobey, Henry T. Burke and John F. [73] Assrgnee: Ricoh Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan Ohl dt J [22] Filed: Sept. 4, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 69,567

A printed copy sheet number read-out device adapted for use with an offset printing machine which permits [30] Fore'gn Apphcano" Pnomy Dam one master plate after another to be automatically Sept. 9, 1969 Japan ..44/7l487 mounted on its master cylinder. Each master plate to be duplicated by this machine is provided in one mar- [52] U.S. Cl ..235/61.1l E, 235/92 PD, 235/92 SB, ginal portion thereof with a plurality of sets of timing 235/92 PE marks each set representing the column of the number Int. Cl ..G06m 3/0 G061 of copy sheets to be printed and data marks each Field Of Search 92 92 92 being provided for one set of timing marks and placed above one timing mark of each set which represents 235/92 92 92 92 CV; 235/98, the particular numeral in each column. When one of E; 340/1741 347 PR such master plates is mounted on the master cylinder, the marks are automatically read by read-out means [56] References Cted provided in the printing machine and duplication of UNITED STATES PATENTS the particular master plate is automatically terminated when a predetermined number of copy sheets have 3,376,549 4/1968 Ford ..340/347 PR been printed. 3,562,491 2/ 1971 Branfield ..235/92 SB 8 Claims, 7 Drawing lh'gures 0010M izz e zzeizzm 52,5: ELEMENT CIPCU/T A CON/V751? c/EcU/r PHOTO EL 56 TE/C T/NIA/G MAM T/M/N6 AFAD fll/ TRANSDUCER READ-{707' MARK CHECK ELEMENT C/RCU/T 5 cowl/TEE 7/ mac, r

P111170 ELECT/PIC 554 -0117 TAAA/SDU'EA AMPZlF/[E 647i ELEMENT I C/ECLl/T l/VD l f NE W PXWTED cop MEMORY 0004/7 r (2% 5,1155, uzg r y w ar/r cwecwr -/m FEM/7W6 TERM/NAHUM 194- "555%? PATENTEDSEP 51912 3.689.742

SHEET 1 0F 4 FIG. 5

INVENTORS VOSH/HARU KA'G/LP/ BY 705/1/ V4 0641M M/cw/ H/wmm.

MKM

,0 Trail ff BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In one type of automatic read-out device known in the art for reading the number of copy sheets to be printed, marks are provided on each master plate to be mounted on a master cylinder of an offset printing machine. The marks are read after the number of copy sheets to be printed have been set. In order to prevent false read-outs caused by light reflected by a recess formed in the master cylinder for gripping the master plate, proposals have hitherto been made to provide additional identification marks on each master plate. The provision of the identification marks has disadvantages in that it is troublesome to form the identification marks in addition to the data marks, and in that a control circuit for detecting the identification marks is complex in construction.

The present invention provides improvements in or relating to the printed copy sheet read-out device. The invention eliminates the identification marks and uses a gate circuit which is opened and closed by means associated with the rotation of the master cylinder for controlling the mark read-out means so that read-out of the marks can be effected promptly and positively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a printed copy sheet number read-out device for offset printing machine.

A printing operation carried out by a rotary offset printing machine comprises an ink forming step, master plate mounting step, etching step, inking step and copy sheet feed step. When a predetermined number of copy sheets are printed by a series of operation steps as aforementioned, the duplicated master plate is removed from the master cylinder and the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder is cleaned.

. This invention has as its object the provision of a printed copy sheet number read-out device adapted for use with offset printing machines in which the aforementioned operation steps are' carried out automatically. The read-out device according to this invention is characterized by indicating the number of copy sheets to be printed by setting data marks on timing marks provided in one marginal portion of each master plate, and causing the indicated number to be read by readout means and stored in a counter memory circuit, so that the copy sheet feed operation may be automatically stopped when a predetermined number of copy sheets have been printed. The device is also characterized by the fact that the time at which the predetermined number of copy sheets to be printed as indicated by the data marks and timing marks is read out is controlled by a signal produced in synchronism with the rotation of the master cylinder, blanket cylinder or impression cylinder of the printing machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view as seen from the left of a small offset printing machine in which the device according to this invention is incorporated;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a master plate provided with marks according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of mark read-out means according to this invention;

FIG. 4 is a view in explanation of the relative positions of the marks on a master plate and light receiving elements;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the arrangement of a photoelectric transducer element for controlling a gate circuit;

FIG. 6 is a systematic diagram of one example of the electric circuit of the device according to this invention; and

FIG. 7 is a systematic diagram showing the manner of operation of one example of the column numeral control circuit according to this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, a start button 3, temporary stop button 4, printed copy sheet number setting change-over button 5, master plate feed operation change-over button 6- and printed copy sheet number indication change-over button 7 are provided on a panel 2 secured to a left side plate 1 of the offset printing machine.

The printed copy sheet number setting change-over button 5 is intended for use when a decision has been made as to whether the number of copy sheets to be printed should be automatically set by means of the marks provided on each master plate or set manually. The master plate feed operation change-over button 6 is intended for use when a decision has been made as to whether or not the next successive master plate'should be automatically mounted on the master cylinder after the duplication of one master plate has been completed. The printed copy sheet indication changeover button 7 is intended for use when a decision has been made as to whether the indicator should set so as to indicate the number of copy sheets printed for each master plate or the total number of copy sheets printed for a plurality of master plates.

Provided on the right side of the panel 2 are a printed copy sheet number indicator 8, a setter 9 for setting beforehand the number of copy sheets to be printed, and

indication tube 10 for indicating the number of printed copy sheets in accordance with the marks provided on each master plate.

Mounted on the .side plates of the printing machine for rotation are a master cylinder 11, blanket cylinder 12 and impression cylinder 13 which are coupled to one another through gears of the same diameter having the same number of teeth. All the cylinders 11, 12 and 13 are adapted to rotate in the directions of the arrows when the main switch of the printing machine is turned on. As the feed of copy sheets is begun, a follower arm 14 is operated by a cam 15 formed integrally with a blanket cylinder 12, and a free end 16a of a pivotal lever 16 formed integrally with the follower arm 16 moves in swinging motion in the rear of a light receiving window 17, thereby causing pulses to be produced for counting the number of copy sheets printed. A plurality of master plates l9'is piled on a master plate tray 18 disposed on the upper right hand of the side plate 1.

Printed copy sheet number read-out means 20 which is provided above the outer peripheral portion of the master cylinder 11 is formed on its underside with a light receiving window which is juxtaposed to a marginal portion of the master plate mounted on the master cylinder 11. Provided in the lower rear portion of the read-out means 20 is a light source lamp 21 which illuminates the marginal portion of the master plate on the master cylinder on which data marks and timing marks are disposed. The light from the light source lamp 21 is incident on photoelectric transducer elements 22t, 22d, such as of the cadmium sulfide type, after passing through a lens.

A rotary segmental plate 23 is mounted on a master cylinder supporting shaft for rotation with the master cylinder 11 as a unit. A light source lamp 24 and photoelectric transducer 25 for opening and closing a gate circuit, subsequently to be described, are mounted on the side plate 1 and-spaced apart from each other by a small space through which the segmental plate 23 moves during its rotation. As shown in FIG. 5, the master cylinder supporting shaft 1 1a extending through the side wall 1 mounts thereon the segmental plate 23 which moves in rotary motion through a path extending between the light source lamp 24 and the photoelectric transducer element 25 on which the light from the lamp 24 is incident. The means comprising the segmental plate 23, lamp 24 and photoelectric transducer 25 functions such that it prevents theread-out means 20 from reading by mistake a recess formed in the master cylinder for gripping the master plate and other portions which are similar to the timing marks and data marks. The segmental plate 23 rotates in synchronism with the master cylinder 11 and interrupts the light from the lamp 24 so that the light may be intermittently incident on the photoelectric element 25 to cause the latter to produce signal pulses for opening the gate circuit. The timing marks and data marks can be read while the gate circuit remains open.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the master plate which is provided in one marginal portion thereof with a plurality of sets of timing marks, each set including ten marks bearing numerals to 9, and a plurality of data marks each provided for one set of timing marks. The set of timing marks designated T represents the column of thousands, the set of timing marks designated T the column of hundreds, the set of timing marks designated T the column of tens, and the set of timing marks designated T the column of ones. In the example shown, the data mark designated D is provided for the timing mark 1 in the set of timing marks T the data mark D for the timing mark 5 in the set of timing marks T the data mark D for the timing mark 2 in the set of timing marks T and the data mark D, for the a timing mark 0 in the set of timing marks T.,. This indicates that the number of copy sheets to be printed from this master plate is 1,520. The number of copy sheets to be printed is indicated by the indication tube provided in the printing machine upon its being read by the read-out means 20.

The read-out means 20 comprises a photoelectric transducer element 22d for the data marks and a photoelectric transducer element 22! for the timing marks. As the master plate rotates with the master cylinder 11 and moves in the direction of the arrow A (FIG. 2), the segmental plate 23 closes the light receiv ing window for the photoelectric transducer element 25 to open the gate circuit. Thereafter, the reading of the timing marks and the data marks is initiated. A recess 11b is formed in the master cylinder 11 for gripping the master plate as shown in FIG. 3. If light reflected by the recess 1 lb is incident on the photoelectric transducer elements 22t and 22d, the read-outs are not counted because the gate circuit is not opened yet. One example of the electric circuit of the device according to this invention constructed as aforementioned will now be explainedwith reference to a systematic diagram shown in FIG. 6. As shown, the photoelectric transducer element 22d is for the data marks, the photoelectric transducer element 22: for the timing marks, and the photoelectric transducer ele-' ment 25 for the rotary segmental plate 23. The output of the element 25 is applied, through an amplifier 60 to the read-out gate circuit 62 as an input. The outputs of the elements 22d and 22: are applied, through data mark read-out circuit 64 and timing mark read-out circuit 66, to AND circuits A and B. The output of the gate circuit 62 is also applied to the AND circuits A and B. If signals from the outputs of the mark read-out circuits 64 and 66 are applied to the AND circuit A and B at a time when no signal appears at the output of the gate circuit 62, the AND circuits A and B do not produce outputs. Accordingly, if the lightreceiving window of the element 25 is closed by the rotary segmental plate 23, the gate circuit is opened and produces an output signal which is applied to the AND circuits A and B as an input. Therefore, the signals from the mark read-out circuits 64 and 66 pass through the AND circuits and are counted by a data mark counter 68 and timing mark counter 70 respectively. The data mark counter is provided with a column numeral control circuit 72, shown in FIG. 7, which automatically decides whether the numeral of the data 'mark read is of the column of thousands, hundreds,

tens or ones; the data mark counter also causes a memory circuit to store the information. When the column numeral control circuit 72 has given a decision on the numeral of the last column and has caused the memory circuit to store the information, it produces a signal which closes the gate circuit so that unnecessary signals may not be stored thereafter.

When the output signals of the column numeral control circuit 72 are stored in the memory circuit, such output signals and the output of a read-out check-up circuit 74 for checking up on the signals from the data mark counter and timing mark counter are logically controlled by an AND circuit C as shown in FIG. 6. This ensures that no mistake occurs in storing only the counting signals in the memory circuit. Besides, the signals stored in the memory counter circuit are indicated by an indicator 82, such as the indication tube referred to above, provided in the printing machine.

After the number of copy sheets to be printed has been read automatically as aforementioned, the printing of one copy sheet after another by the printing machine is automatically started. Each time one copy sheet is printed, the follower arm 14, cam 15 and pivotal lever 16 are actuated to produce a pulse from generator 76 which is counted. Each time such pulse is counted, the numeral 1 is subtracted from the number stored in the memory counter circuit 80. When there is no number left in the memory circuit after a predetermined number of copy sheets have been printed, the memory counter circuit 80 produces an output signal which actuates a printing completion judging circuit 84 which applies a printing completion command signal to the paper feed device which automatically stops operating upon receipt of such signal. Thus, the printing operation for duplicating a master plate performed by setting beforehand the number of copy sheets to be printed can be carried out automatically without requiring the help of the operator.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the present invention offers many advantages. The invention permits automatic setting of a predetermined number of copy sheets to be printed for each master plate positively and promptly by merely applying data marks on the respective numerals in a plurality of sets of timing marks. The read-out means can be made to act continuously on different master plates automatically mounted on andreleased from the master cylinder, making it possible to continuously duplicate consecutive master plates one after another without interruption. The provision of the rotary segmental plate and gate circuit for controlling the time at which the marks are read makes the read-out means operate positively and prevents false read-outs caused by light reflected by the recess in the master cylinder being incident on the photoelectric transducer elements. The provision of the gate circuit eliminates the need for providing identification marks and a complex control circuit for detecting such identification marks. According to the present invention, the time at which the timing and data marks are read is controlled by signals produced in synchronism with the rotation of the master cylinder, so that the circuit used is simple in construction and positive read-outs can be made.

The use of the synchronous signal offers an additional advantage in that it can be used as a timing signal for initiation and termination of printing of each copy sheet during the printing operation and for checking up on the copy sheet feed operation of the copy sheet feed device after it has been used for reading the marks and storing the information in the memory circuit. This makes it possible to perform the automatic control of operation of a printing machine readily and positively.

According to the present invention, the number of copy sheets to be printed is stored in the memory circuit before a printing operation is initiated, and the number of copy sheets printed in the printing operation is subtracted from the stored number each time a copy sheet is printed till'a predetermined number of copy sheets have been printed. This offers advantages in that the termination of the printing operation can be readily judged, and the control circuit used is simple in construction and small in size.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the rotary segmental plate has been described as being mounted on the master cylinder supporting shaft. It is to be understood however, that it may be mounted on any shaft which supports the blanket cylinder or impression cylinder or any other shaft which rotates in conjunction with such shafts. The rotary plate need not be segmental in shape but may be in other convenient shape. The gate circuit according to this invention has been described as being opened when the rotary plate interrupts the light from the light source and prevents it from being incident on the photoelectric transducer element. Alternatively, the gate circuit may be opened when the light from the light source is incident on the photoelectric transducer element, so long as the rotary plate rotating in synchronism with the master cylinder can open and close the gate circuit. Although the drawings and description relates to one embodiment of this invention, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the disclosed construction and instead it is intended that the invention should extend to all alternative embodiments and constructions falling within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a read-out device for reading the number of copy sheets to be printed by an offset printing machine and for controlling the printing, including a master cylinder, a master plate having a plurality of sets of marks thereon to be read, each set representing a digital position for a number of copy sheets to be printed,

the improvement which comprises a gate circuit;

means associated with said master cylinder for opening and closing said gate circuit; read-out means controlled by said gate circuit for reading the marks on a master plate; a memory counter circuit for storing the information read by said I read-out means; a counter for counting the number of copy sheets that have been printed, said counter being operable after said marks have been read; means for providing a pulse signal to said counter for each copy sheet printed; means for subtracting the number of copy sheets that have been printed from the number stored in said memory counter circuit; and means for terminating copy sheet feeding upon reaching the number stored in said memory counter circuit.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, in which said marks provided on said master plate comprise a plurality of sets of timing marks and a plurality of data marks, and individual counter means for counting the timing marks and the data marks.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said marks are in rows along a lateral edge of the master plate and wherein said read-out means are positioned to read said marks serially.

4. A device as in claim 1 wherein said marks comprise a plurality of sets of timing marks and a plurality of data marks, with one data mark per set of timing marks, each of said data marks pointing to an individual timing mark, said number of copy sheets to be printed being represented by the positions of the timing marks pointed to by data marks.

5. A device as in claim 4 wherein said timing marks are read serially by mark and by set and including timing mark counting means for accumulating a count of timing marks of each set of time marks read by the read-out means, and means for transferring the instantaneous counts of the timing mark counting means to defined digit positions in the memory means upon the reading of data marks by the read-out means.

6. An offset printing machine having a device for controlling the number of copies printed during a printing cycle according to information provided by marks on a master plate carried by the printing machine master cylinder and including means for reading the master plate marks and for providing an output representing the number of copy sheets indicated by the master plate marks, memory means for storing the number of copy sheets represented by the reading means output, means for counting the number of copies printed during the printing cycle, and control means for generating a signal upon coincidence between the number stored in the storing means and the number of copies printed during the printing cycle as counted by the counting means, wherein the improvement comprises gate means (A,B) interposed between the reading means (22d, 22t, 64, 66) and the storing means (80), said gate means having a closed state and an open state and allowing connection between the output of the reading means and the memory means only during its open state, and means (11a, 23, 24, 25, 60, 62) for opening the gate means during a defined segment of the rotation of the master cylinder, said defined segment corresponding to alignment between the marks and the reading means, and for closing the gate means during the remaining segment of the rotation of the master cylinder.

7. An offset printing machine as in claim 8 wherein said marks are arranged in a row along a lateral edge of the master plate.

8. An offset printing machine as in claim 6 wherein said marks comprise timing marks and data marks and wherein said reading means comprises means for read ing timing marks and means for reading data marks, and including means for converting the output of the reading means to a decimal number. 

1. In a read-out device for reading the number of copy sheets to be printed by an offset printing machine and for controlling the printing, including a master cylinder, a master plate having a plurality of sets of marks thereon to be read, each set representing a digital position for a number of copy sheets to be printed, the improvement which comprises a gate circuit; means associated with said master cylinder for opening and closing said gate circuit; read-out means controlled by said gate circuit for reading the marks on a master plate; a memory counter circuit for storing the information read by said read-out means; a counter for counting the number of copy sheets that have been printed, said counter being operable after said marks have been read; means for providing a pulse signal to said counter for each copy sheet printed; means for subtracting the number of copy Sheets that have been printed from the number stored in said memory counter circuit; and means for terminating copy sheet feeding upon reaching the number stored in said memory counter circuit.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1, in which said marks provided on said master plate comprise a plurality of sets of timing marks and a plurality of data marks, and individual counter means for counting the timing marks and the data marks.
 3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said marks are in rows along a lateral edge of the master plate and wherein said read-out means are positioned to read said marks serially.
 4. A device as in claim 1 wherein said marks comprise a plurality of sets of timing marks and a plurality of data marks, with one data mark per set of timing marks, each of said data marks pointing to an individual timing mark, said number of copy sheets to be printed being represented by the positions of the timing marks pointed to by data marks.
 5. A device as in claim 4 wherein said timing marks are read serially by mark and by set and including timing mark counting means for accumulating a count of timing marks of each set of time marks read by the read-out means, and means for transferring the instantaneous counts of the timing mark counting means to defined digit positions in the memory means upon the reading of data marks by the read-out means.
 6. An offset printing machine having a device for controlling the number of copies printed during a printing cycle according to information provided by marks on a master plate carried by the printing machine master cylinder and including means for reading the master plate marks and for providing an output representing the number of copy sheets indicated by the master plate marks, memory means for storing the number of copy sheets represented by the reading means output, means for counting the number of copies printed during the printing cycle, and control means for generating a signal upon coincidence between the number stored in the storing means and the number of copies printed during the printing cycle as counted by the counting means, wherein the improvement comprises gate means (A,B) interposed between the reading means (22d, 22t, 64, 66) and the storing means (80), said gate means having a closed state and an open state and allowing connection between the output of the reading means and the memory means only during its open state, and means (11a, 23, 24, 25, 60, 62) for opening the gate means during a defined segment of the rotation of the master cylinder, said defined segment corresponding to alignment between the marks and the reading means, and for closing the gate means during the remaining segment of the rotation of the master cylinder.
 7. An offset printing machine as in claim 8 wherein said marks are arranged in a row along a lateral edge of the master plate.
 8. An offset printing machine as in claim 6 wherein said marks comprise timing marks and data marks and wherein said reading means comprises means for reading timing marks and means for reading data marks, and including means for converting the output of the reading means to a decimal number. 